Locking apparatus



Feb. 12, 1952 Filed May 6, 1948 K. J. J. MCGOWAN 2,585,151

LOCKING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet l Q I? '7 Q Q I 5 6 1@ 1 Q 5 1 K I CZ] 12 14 i 15 @7 4 W M H 17F TIL/i i 14 IN V EN TOR.

Feb. 12, 1952 K. J. J. M GOWAN LOCKING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 6, 194a PUSH PA DLO INVENTOR. Ai /2128612 JJ 1%? vwaiz.

HIS Arramn Feb. 12, 1952 K. J. J. M GOWAN 2,585,151

LOCKING APPARATUS Filed May 6, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

6%121206/2 J J M Gawazz Feb. 12, 1952 K. J. J. M GOWAN 2,535,151

LOCKING APPARATUS Filed May 6, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

124 111192 JJMMOM.

Feb. 12, 1952 J, J, MOGOWAN 2,585,151"

LOCKING APPARATUS Filed May 6, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 1075 10190: g R L Fly. 10. 10 53 72 o I o I I l l 2 o m Ill 5 104 95 Illa INVEN TOR.

#15 A f TORIVEY 95 K. J. J; MGGOWAN 2,585,151

LOCKING APPARATUS Filed May s, 1948 Y 6 Sheets-Sheet e INVENTOR.

Hy v aw Hi5 HITORNZY Patented Feb. 12, 1952 A to Westinghouse Air Brake Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania 'AppIica tiOn MaY 6, 1948, Serial No. 25;?27

11 Claims.

My invention relates to locking apparatus W adapted foruse'in-railway signaling. More particularly, my invention relates to apparatus for locking'railway track switches and incorporating 'a-padlock, an electric circuit controller operable 'asso'on as the padlock is removed, and a mechanical timer which prevents operation of the switch for a predetermined time after the circuit controller is operated.

It is customary in'railway signaling and trafiic controlling systems to provide locks for preventing unauthorized operation of railway track switches located outside the limits of interlockingplants. Such a lock is usually mounted on the ties adjacent to a track switch, and locks a member so connected with the points of the switch that the points can be moved only when the member is'free to move.

Where the switch'is one which controls traffic from a siding onto a main lineover which highspeed trains are running, the switch is of course locked in its normal position which permits movement over the main line and prevents movement to or from the siding. It is desirable to prevent an operation of the switch which would permit movements onto the main line without giving the main line trains warning of such switch operation. To secure such protection for main line trains, the locking device for the switch may be provided with an electrical circuit controller and a time delay device in addition to the usual padlock. The lock is so arranged that when the padlock is removed, apreliminary movement of an operating member'on the'lock either automaticallytakes place or may be manually made. This movement operates the'circuit controller and starts the time delay device running, but does'not unlock the switch. The circuit controller is connected with "the signaling system so as to set the signals 'on th'e main line at stop when this preliminary movement is performed. The time delay device starts running at the same time and after a "predetermined period, for example, 3 minutes, it releases the operating -membe'r "so that its unlocking movement may be com leted. The

switch may thenbe moved from itsnormal to "is approaching 'the nearest Signal *at the time that 'signal'is set "to. stop by operation of the circuit controller. After the movement through 'the switch isover,the switch andthelockmust be restored to theirrespective normal positions, and the lock must be rpadlockedin order that the main line signals may be restored to normal. By the use of a locking device equipped with a circuit controller and a'timerofthetype described, operation of the siding switch-may; be prevented from dangerously interfering with 'trafiic on the main line.

I have shown in my copending application for Letters "Patent of the United States, Serial 734,273, filed March 12,1947, now U. '8. "Patent No. 2,520,848, for Looking Devices,a locking device of the type described, including-a circuit controller operated by a preliminary movement of a lock mechanism "and a :mechanical timer which maintains the track switch lockedfor a predetermined time after operation of the circuit controller. The locking device -shownin my said copending application is' termed a high-typ'e lock, since it isoperated by hand and is mounted on a stand which projects several feet above the'level'of the trackway.

In some cases, it may be-desired to Yuse'such a switch lock in a location Where'the'clearance requirements will not permit use of i a high=type lock. Where a low-type lock is -used, it is'de-q sirable that its external operating parts-bearranged so that their proper mode-of operation is readily apparent to a switchman. Suchan arrangement avoids unnecessary delays "in unlocking the switch and in reapplying th spadcompact than previous locking-devices.

A further object is to provide an improved foot pedal arrangement for a low-type lock, in which the parts "of the mechanism associated with-the padlock 'areclearly visible to the operator in all positions of the apparatus.

Another object of my invention is to' provide a low-type switch lock including a foot pedal and a-casing containing the locking "mechanism,

including an improved arrangement-for transmitting motion between thepedal and the in- 'terior of the casing incorporating an improved seal for preventing the entrance of dirt "and moisture into'tlie casing.

I accomplish these objects of my invention by providing a casing containing the locking mechanism and having mounted thereon a single external operating member including two footv pedal portions projecting therefrom. One foot pedal near the lower part of the lock is used to operate the locking mechanism to its unlocked position. The other foot pedal is used to restore the mechanism to its locked position and is mounted near the top of the operating member where it is clearly visible at all times to a person operating the devices. The operating member is also provided with an eye which fits over a staple adapted to receive the bail of a padlock and mounted on a fixed portion of the apparatus. This eye is also placed near the upper end of the operating member. The eye and the staple are also clearly visible to an operator in all positions of the operating member.

The operating member is mounted for rotary movement on an arbor which extends through -an aperture in a wall of the casing. Inside the casing a rotary locking member is also mounted on the arbor.

This rotary member extends through the aperture and engages the operating member so that the two rotate concurrently. The operating member is provided with an annular surface which sealingly engages the peripheral surface of the aperture through which the arbor and the rotary member pass. The seal between the operating member and the inside of the casing is therefore between two relatively rotating surfaces and is inherently better than a seal between two relatively sliding surfaces.

The casing is also provided with an external jaw to receive the hand-throw lever of a railway switch when the lever is in its normal position. A latching arm on the lock operating member is provided. When the operating member is in its padlocked position, this latching arm extends over the jaw so that the hand-throw lever may not be withdrawn. A compact spring basket arrangement inside the casing is connected to the rotary member, so that when the padlock is removed, the rotary member and the operating member are moved to an intermediate position by the spring basket. In this intermediate position, the latching arm of the operating member still prevents movement of the hand-throw lever. casing extends into the path of a portion of the rotary member and prevents its movement beyond this intermediate position in an unlocking direction. This locking dog is operated by a mechanical timer, including a clockwork mechanism. The timer is wound up by a cam associated with the rotary member as the operating member is moved from its intermediate to its padlocked position. When the operating member is moved from its padlocked to its intermediate position, the timer is released by the cam. After the expiration of a predetermined period of time for which the mechanical timer is preset, it snaps the locking dog out of the path of the rotary member to permit movement of the operating member to its unlocked position so that the hand-throw lever of the switch may then be operated from its normal position to its reverse position.

In order to make the timer as small as possible, a timer is used which produces only a small amount of mechanical movement. Since a relatively greater movement is required of the locking dog in order that its operation may be A locking dog within the 4 4 positive, I mount the timer at one end of the casing and the locking dog and the rotary member at the other end of the casing. An elongated motion multiplying lever connects the timer with the locking dog.

The intermediate portion of the casing between the two ends is occupied by an electrical circuit controller operated by a cam on the rotary member. This circuit controller is operated from one circuit controlling position to another as the operating member is moved from its padlocked to its intermediate position. The cam and follower which operate the circuit controller are provided with opposed surfaces, so that the circuit controller is positively operated in both directions.

The follower which operates the circuit controller is provided with an extending finger which engages and forces the locking dog into its locked position when the operating member is returned to its padlocked position. Failure of the mechanism to operate properly because of sticking of the locking dog in its released position is thereby prevented. Also, if the lock mechanism is broken so that the locking dog cannot be restored to its locking position, this finger prevents restoration of the operating member to its padlocked position. The apparatus therefore fails safe, since the main line signals must remain at stop if the lock is broken. An indicator is mounted on the arm which operates the locking dog and is visible through an aperture in the casing to indicate to the operator of the device whether the locking dog is in its locked or unlocked position.

The casing is provided with a cover having depending edges which provide a deeply recessed central portion. The circuit controller is attached by means of a bracket to the casing. The bracket extends inwardly and upwardly of the casing so that the terminal board of the circuit controller is within the recessed cover. When the cover is open, the terminal posts and the contacts of the circuit controller are therefore readily accessible.

Other objects and characteristic features of my invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

I shall describe one form of locking apparatus embodying my invention, and shall then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of the switch lock embodying my invention applied to the hand-throw lever of a railway track switch. Fig. 2 is a front elevational view, on a larger scale, of the switch lock shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional elevation taken on the line 111-111 of Fig. 6, with certain parts removed and. others broken away for the sake of clarity. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross sec-- tional view taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 6, illustrating the details of the spring biasing mechanism. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line V-V of Fig. 3, illustrating certain constructional details. Fig. 6 is an elevational view taken substantially on the line VIVI of Fig. 3 with certain parts omitted and others broken away. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross section, on a larger scale, taken on the line VIIVII of Figs. 3 and 6. Fig. 8 is a rear elevational view showing details of construction of the time release mechanism illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6. Fig. 9 is a view showing the obverse face of the time release mechaiiism shown in F'lg. *3. Fig. re-1 a verticai-sectional'viewtakenpnthe lineX-eX df"Fig.-' 8. A

Referring to the drawings, there, is shown a switch-lock constructed in accordance with my invention and including a casin I having a cover 2 attached thereto by means of hinges 3. The casing "I iS'attSihBd tO a mounting plate 4 by means of bolts. The 1 mounting plate 4 is in turn attached to the 'tiesof a railway. Also at- T/ach'ed to'-the mounting plate 4 isa"s"tan'd 5mm- 'in'g"a' part of a switchmachin'e. The complete fs'witchmachine is "not shown. The stand asepii'ports a bearing "6 which carries a switch operat- 5mg "shaft "I. A hand-throw lever 8 is attached th o i The casing 1| is provided withtwofspaced ex- "tensions 9 "and ll) which terminate respectively in-upstandingposts H and '12. The posts H and [2 together with-extensions 9 and IO-form'ajaw "forfreceiving the ha'n'd-throw lever 8 when'it is inits normal'positio'n-as shown in Fig. 'l. A lock rod I3 is eccentrically attached to shaft 1, and extends into an aperture Ha inthe post' I I, 'for a purpose'tobelater described.

A latch member I4 is pivotally mounted between the extensions! and lfl'of casing I on an arbor 15 "(see Figs. 3, 5, and 6). The latch'mem- "ber 14 includes a-latching arm 14a, an outwardly projecting pedalar'm 14b, an upwardly and laterally projecting pedal wing I40, and an extension lf4dhavingan-eye l4e therein for receiving a padlock staple 16 attached to an extension {Nb on the post H. "A padlock Ilia is shown in Fig. 3 with its'bail extending through staple l6.

1 The-casing I is formed with ahollow projec- "tio'n'ila '(see Fig. 5), which is a part of the extension 9 and which forms a recess 9?) in the -interiorof the casing. The side of projection "ea'nearest'the center of thecasing I "is provided with an aperture '90. The extension on the casin includes awall 10a parallelto and spaced from the wall of projection ain which theaperture 9c is'located. Thearbor passes freely fthr'ough aperture 9c,-and is supported at itsfoppos'it'e ends in the wall 10a and inthe'wall of projection Ba oppositethe aperture 90; The wall "10a "and the'wal'l containing the aperture 90 define the opposite sidesof an-external recess 10b in the wall of easing I. The latch member I4 ispivotally mounted on the arbor l5 within the external recess 10b. 'Within the internal recess 917,3. rotary member I! is 'rotatably mounted onthe arbor l5. The'rotary member I1" is providedwith teeth Hf (see Fig. 5) which project "through the aperture 90 and'engage correspond- "ing teeth 141 in the latch member l4,-so that the latch-member l4 and the rotary member I! rotate together. Latch member I4 is provided with an annular flange l-4g'w'hich engages the peripheral surface of the aperture 90, and. seals that aper- "tu'r'eag'ains't the entry of dirt and moisture from the outside of the casing. I

Inside-the casing l, the'rotary member 1"! carries "a cam projection IIa -(seeFigs. sand 6) having oppositely tapered end surfaces l and 110. 'These end-surfaces areadapted respectively to engage arms l8a and l8b on a pivotally mounted follower 18. The rotary member 'I 1 also carries another cam I 1d, which cooperates with 'a follower f9 carriedby an "arm'20 rotatable on 'a'shaft 2|. a a The rotary member I! also carries a pin 22 which supports one end of a spring basket arrangement shown in detail in Fig. 4.

is "spring pas a arrangement includesan external sleeve -2-3, which is bi'furcatd at one end fto form spaced lugs, one "of which is shown at 23a. The-lugs "23a. are apertures receive the-pin 22. The'pin 22i'nay' 'be held in the lu'gs '23a by any suitable means "(not shown) ,--as 'for "ex'ample, cotter pin s. The sleeve 23'ispr0vide'd at-oneend with an iriternal flange 23b. Acoll'ar 24 is threaded on theexternal surface of 'thefqpposite end "of sleeve 23. The "collarf24 carries another internal flange 24a. The collar- 24 and the "sleeve '23 freely receive an eye 'bolt 25 on which is threaded a sleeve 26. The eyeend'bf "eye bolt 25'extends outside "the end-of peeve 2 a opposite "the pin '22, whereit receives a pin "21, which is fixed'ina suitable'boss 27a (see Figffi) on the casing I. The end of sleeve 26f nearest the pin '2 2 is formed with an external flange-26a. A pair of lock "nuts 28 are threaded'on'theex- "terior of the opposite end of sleeve 26 andln effect form'anotherexternal flange. A pairfof spring retaining washers 29 and 3B are slidably received on the exterior of sleeve 26, and slide within the sleeve 23. A coil spring 3! surrounds the sleeve 26 and is retained thereon by the washers 29 and '30.

'The'p arts of the spring basket mechanism are arranged so that the distance between theexternal flanges 28a and '28 on sleeve '26 is the same'as the distance between the internal'flanges 23b and'2 4'a on sleeve '23. Therefore, 'whentlie parts are positioned so that flange'23b'is aligned with flange 25a, then flange '24a'is aligned'with flange 28. Under such conditions, the spring "3| exerts no'bia'sing force on pin "22, and any movement of pin 22 toward or away from Ipi'n 21 causes spring 3! to be compressed. This 'flposi- 'tion of pin 22 is referred to hereafter asits neutral position.

The parts are shown'in Fig. 4 in th'elp'osition they assume when the pin 22 has been moved toward pin 21 from its neutral position. The sleeve 23 has been moved toward the .pin '21 carrying the retaining washer "29 with it and compressing the spring 3| against the washer '33 which is held by nuts 28 on the sleeve 26. With the parts in the position shownoinFig. 4, therefore, the spring '3l biases the pin 22towar'd "the left and thereby biases the rotary member I! for movement in a counterclockwise direction.

The cam follower i8 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 32 '(see Fig. 6) which is journaled in two bearings 33 formed in lugs 33a extending-from the casing I. An operating member 35 for a circuit controller generally indicated at 331s integrally-attached to the follower I8. The operating member 35 is channel-shaped, and is supported on the shaft 32 by means of apair of arms 31. 7 Fixed inthe channelof the operating member 35 are three insulating strips 38, 39, and 40', which extend longitudinallyof the channel-shaped operating member 35 soas to form two spaced slots 4! and 42. I

A generally U-shaped bracket member 43 is attached at its ends to one side of the casing l and extends upwardly and inwardly so that the bight of the bracket member extends across the central portion of the cover 2. The cover -2 is provided with downwardly depending side portionsso that it is deeply recessed, and the bracket member "43 extends upwardly into this deep r ccess. Each end of the bracket 43 is provided with oppositely projecting flanges 43c and 43d. Aninsulating terminal board 44 is' attached to the flanges 43c by means of screws'f45fwhich'i'are threaded iiitothafianges. Thaterininal board 44 is of conventionalconstruction. It carries a plurality of terminal posts 46 and a plurality of downwardly depending stationary contacts 41, each of which cooperate with a similar down wardly depending movable contact 48. The movable contacts 48 extend downwardly into the insulating slot 42 formed in the circuit controller operating member 35. Each flange 43d on the bracket 43 carries a short terminal board 49. Each of the two terminal boards 49 carries two terminal posts 46, one downwardly depending stationary contact and one downwardly depending movable contact 52. The movable contact 52 extends downwardly into the insulating slot 4| formed in the circuit controller operating member 35.

A downwardly depending lug 432 is formed on the bracket 43 and extends between the short terminal boards 49. The lug 43c supports a bracket 54, on which is pivoted an indicator '55, which is visible from outside the casing through an aperture 2a in the cover 2. The indicator 55 is operated by a rod 56 which is pivoted at its opposite end on an arm 51. The arm 51 carries at its end a locking dog 58, which in the position shown in the drawings, lies in the path of a projection lle (see Fig. 3) on the rotary member ll. The locking dog 58 is provided with a laterally extending lip 58a which engages a lug 59 formed on the housing to limit the downward movement of the locking dog. The follower |8 carries a force-down finger I80 which at times is effective to force the dog 58 downwardly and bring it into the path of projection He.

The locking dog 58 may be moved out of the path of projection We on rotary member IT by means of a mechanical time release arrangement including a timer generally indicated at 60 in Figs. 3 and 6 and a snap action latching mechanism generally indicated at 6|. The timer 60 and the latch 6| are illustrated in detail in Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10. This timer and latch are described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 734,273, previously mentioned.

The timer 60 is provided with an operating push rod 62 whose lower end is enclosed by a cap nut 63. The push rod 62 is operated by an arm 64 (see Figs. 6 and 8) connected to a rod 65 which is attached at one end to the arm 28 and at its opposite end to an arm 66, which, like arm 20, is pivotally mounted on the shaft 2|. Shaft 2| is supported at one end by a lug 61 which projects from the wall of easing I and at its opposite end by a lug 68 which projects from a wall of casing The time release mechanism 68 is best shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. It comprises a housing 69 mounted on a frame H which is fastened by screws to supporting lugs 10 attached to casing I. Push rod 62 is slidably mounted at its upper end (see Fig. 10) in a cap member 1| threaded into an opening provided in the top member of housing 69, and projects through an aligned opening 12 provided in the lower member of housing 69. The mounting or rod 62 permits up and down movement but preferably rotational movement of the rod is prevented by providing it with a square or hexagonal shape in that portion of the rod that projects through opening 12, and by forming that opening with a corresponding shape. A coil spring 13 surrounds the upper end of rod 62 and is confined between cap member H and a shoulder formed on rod 62 so as to bias the rod constantly to its lowermost position. The rod 62 is operatively connected through a gear train with an escapement mechanism in such a manner that operation of the rod upwardly against the bias of spring 13 can be effected freely but operation of the rod downwardly in response to the bias of the spring is controlled by the escapement mechanism.

The gear train and escapement mechanism are mounted on shafts carried in bearings provided in front and back plates 14 and 15, respectively, which are secured by screws to housing 69 to enclose the working elements of the mechanism. Rod 62 is operatively connected with the gear train by means of a segment gear 16 mounted on a shaft 11 and provided with an integrally formed crank 18 carrying a pin 19 which engages a slot 62a provided on rod 62, the arrangement being such that any movement of rod 62 is communicated to gear 16 by means of the movement of pin 19 and crank 18 caused by slot 62a.

Segment gear 16 is connected through a train of gears, with an escapement wheel mounted on a shaft 8|. The train as shown includes a pinion 82 meshing with segment gear 16 and mounted on a shaft 83. Shaft 83 carries a rotatably mounted gear 84 having a pair of pawls 85 (see Fig. 9) biased by spring 86 into engagement with the teeth of a ratchet wheel 8'! fixed on shaft 83 in juxtaposition with gear 84. The pawls 85 and wheel 81 cooperate to permit wheel 81 to be rotated in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 9) without effecting rotation of gear 84, but effect rotation of that gear in the event that wheel 61 operates in a counterclockwise direction. Gear 84 meshes with a pinion 88 carried on'a shaft 89. A gear wheel 90 is fixed on shaft 89 and engages a pinion 9| fixed on shaft 8| carrying the previously mentioned escapement wheel 80.

A rockshaft 92 carries an escapement lever 93 having pawls which cooperate With the teeth of escapement wheel 80. Lever 93 has a slotted arm 93a engaging a driving pin 94 carried on a balance wheel 95 mounted on a shaft 96 and connected with a hair spring 91, the arrangement being such that rotation of escapement wheel 80 is converted into reciprocating motion of escapement lever 93 which acts through its slotted arm 93a and pin 94 to cause balance wheel 95 to oscillate in opposition to hair spring 91. The pawls of lever 93 are shaped to provide self-starting features for the escapement mechanism, by coacting with the teeth of wheel 80 to impose a torque on lever 93 effective in all positions of wheel 80 to cause balance wheel 95 to oscillate. In this arrangement, shaft 96 and escapement lever 93 are disposed with respect to each other and proportioned so that the extreme upper end of lever arm 93a oscillates through an are passing through shaft 96 just short of its axis. In order to permit oscillation of lever 93 past shaft 96, a portion of the shaft is relieved by slotting to its axis, as at 96a (see Fig. 9), with the slot having a fiat surface perpendicular to the radius of wheel 95 passing through driving pin 94. Lever 93 will oscillate past shaft 96 only when the slot of the shaft provides clearance for the lever, and this occurs only during the interval that the slotted portion of the shaft is disposed with its flat surface substantially tangent to the arc of lever arm 93a and with its unrelieved portion extending radially outward from that arc. When balance wheel 95 in oscillating rotates shaft 96 slightly away from theposition mentioned, the unrelieved portion of shaft 96 then projects into the path of lever 93 to restrain movement of the lever past the shaft, thereby periodically interrupting itsmovement aga n to .restrain rotation or escapement ,wheelfifl, In; this arrangement, therefore, the. step-byrstep control of. es'capement wheel 90 is established by the cooperationof leyer arm 931a withthe slotted shaft 95, and theioscillation of balance wheel 95 is effective to movethe unrelieyed portion of shaft 96 .into and; outofthe path of levernarm 93a.

The portion of rod 62. that. projects downwardly fromhousing- 6.9 is threaded to receive an operating nut. 92b which may be adjusted to assume a wide range of positions on the rod. The rod 62, is positioned by the driving armfi, aspreviously described. Arm 64 is connected through rod 65 to a cam follower l9 engaging the cam [111 provided on rotary member I! for operatiyely connecting the latch member Mwith push rod'52 of time mechanismtll.

When latchmember I4, is in its normal position as represented in the drawings, cam, lid opcrates. through follower l9 and the upper driving surface of arm 64 to hold cap nut BSand rod 62. to,their uppermost positions, in which they are illustrated in the drawings, inoppo sition to the bias of spring '13. Whenrotary member I! is rotated.counterclockwise a few degrees from the position shown in Fig. 3, the driving surface of cam lid is removed from follower, 19, which then drops andmovesarmM clear of nut93 and-permits-rod 6.2 to be driven downwardly. byspring 13 at a rate determined by the escapement mechanismv and its associated gear train, the segment gear 15 in this case rotating shaft 83v in. such a direction as to drive gear 84 and ratchet wheel '8! so as to bring into play theoperation of the escapement mechanism previously described. This movement of rod 62. causes. a correspond: ing movement of. operating nut 62b which-functions in a manner to be explained hereinafter to trip off a tripping mechanism. The latter mechanism may be arranged to limit the downward travel of rod 62. When latch member i4 is restored to its normal position cam lld drives follower l9 upwardly so that arm. 64 forces rod 92 to itsuppermost position, the rotation ofv shaft tsefiected by gear 16 in such eventbeing in the direction which permits ratchet wheel 87 to rotate freely without driving gear 84, so thatv the escapement mechanism is removed from operation at this time.

The time release mechanism 89 .is arranged so that it can be removed as a unit from the locking device. This removal may readily be effected merely by unscrewing housing 99 from its. support, and lifting the mechanism away'from the support. The arrangement greatly facilitates inspection and. repair of the timing unit, and not only permits. the timing mechanism to be replaced. as a. unit but also enables the. unit to be packaged separately for shipment apart from the remainder of the look so. thatthe unit maybe assembled in operative relation in the look after the. casin has been installed. at. its, point of use. This. removable feature of the. timing unitaffords protection for thebearingsand pivots of the unit against shock and vibration, damage incident to the shipment and installation of the lock device.

Additionalprotection against. shock and vibration. provided in thetiming unit by means of leaf springs .3 (see Figs. 8 and 9) carried by a spring; arm. HA. fastened to plunger rod 62. The sprin s I are propinned. to. n a e het f the sea t a n and. esqapement mechani m f. t c nitvrh rod 6 s n ts. uppermo tppsk tion, and thereby impose a spring-load on the redV iZ mit sownwardly.

the corresponding movement of spring arm H4 removes the spring loading from, theshafts so that the shafts rotate freely in their bearings. The spring loading is effective in the uppermost position of rod 6; to prevent damage to the bearings and pivots due to shock and vibration resulting from trains passing the point of lock installation, consequently the delicate parts of the timing unit are protected against damagefrom the severe vibrational disturbances to which the parts necessarily are exposed wheninstalledfor use on ties supporting the adjacent trackway.

The locking dog 58 previously mentioned forms apart of the locking means and, when disposed in the path of shoulder We of rotary member ll, limits movement of latch. member l4 so that latching arm hid remains in the path of the hand-throw lever B, The dog 58 is operatively c nnect wi h ea me e ea m chanis 60 through thetripping mechanism 91.. The mech anismfil iseifective when tripped to operate dog 59 out of the pathof'shoulder lie so that latch member E l is then free to rotate so as to move latch, arm Ma out of, the path of hand-throw lever 8, and the switch is unlocked. The tripping mechanism cooperates with the time release mechanism 99 to retain dog 59 in its full down position in the path of shoulder Ile until after the expiration of a predetermined time following which the tripping mechanismis tripped by mechanism 69 to operate dog 58 witha snap ac tion to its unlocking position but of the path of shoulder I'Ie.

The tripping mechanism isshown best in Figs. '7 and 10. Locking dog 59 is mounted at the ex treme end ofarm 57, which is carried by a clevis 98. Clevis 98 has spaced'fingers 98a (see Fig. '7), by which it is pivotally supported on a pin. 99 journaled in depending lugs 199 provided on supporting frame .ifll of the timing mechanism, 60. Clevis 98, is also provided with an opening 981; in which a spring lllil is compressed between top and bottom plates I03 andlllil. The. top plate I93 bears against a shoulder formed in opening 98b. Lower plate I94 bearsagainst a pin or cotter key carried in suitable holes in the side walls of the opening. '1

An. adjusting bolt I06 is provided for engaging top plate I03 to compressspring H12v and there: by impose aspring load on clevis 98, a'rmjland dog 58 to. bias that dogdownwardly and hold lip 58a, (see Fig. 3) in engagement with lug, 59. Bolt IE6 is carried by a latch lever I01 also having spaced arms [91a by which vit is pivoted on pin 99. Latch lever ID! has an upwardly extending finger Hill) adapted to be engaged by a finger [9811. on a retaining lever I08 pivoted on a pinl99 journaled in. lugs lilla provided on frame Hit. Another arm I081) of retaining lever I98, is. biased by a. spring H9, confined between thatarm and frame li'll', to the position where finger [08c engages finger Nb of latch lever I91.

An operating lever Ill alsopivoted on pin i9, is. provided with a lug llla which cooperates with a lug 990 on clevis 98 to confine a, spring M2, the arrangement being such that spring H2 tends to force clevis 98 and lever II I. to 3'0- tate in opposite directions about pin 99. An arm lllb of; operating lever HI is adapted to engage arm QBD f. r n n e e "l w i a ev i i rt ekw v r ct n s ewe n. Fig 10 a a st t eoib e i wing U! th rotat qn f etain n e er- 8 heme eqt e I ert fin er 18a. ut f a nt with in e mm or tch le er 1-. .settl s v-iwi l s]? operating lever III is provided for engaging operating nut 62b of time release mechanism 60, the arrangement being such that in the normal positions of the parts as shown in Fig. 10, nut 62b is disengaged from arm IIIc so that operating lever III is in its normal position, arm IIIb engages arm I 0811 of retaining lever I08, the other arm I08a of retaining lever I08 engages finger II b of latch lever I01, and bolt I06 depresses top plate I03 to impose a spring bias on arm 98, forcing locking dog 58 downwardl into the path of shoulder I'Ie.

Operating lever III is also provided with a lug IIId which in the normal position of the lever engages a cooperating lug on lever I01. When rod 62 moves downwardly, nut 91 engages arm IIIc of operating lever I II to rotate that lever in a clockwise direction about pivot pin 99, thereby compressing spring I I2 confined between lugs I I Ia and 380. At the same time, arm IIIb of lever III rotates retaining lever I08 in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot pin I08 and causes arm I08a to move out of en agement with finger I0Ib of latch lever I01. When this happens, the parts are tripped so that bolt I03 no longer applies a force to upper plate I03 on arm 38, and the energy stored in springs I02 and II! is effective to rotate clevis 98 in a clockwise direction about pin 93 and snap dog 58 out of the path of movement of shoulder I'Ie. A stop lug provided on the end of arm I08b of lever I08 engages frame IN to limit the rotation of lever I08 and through it, the rotation of lever II I and consequently the downwardly travel of nut 82b of the time release mechanism.

Operation the neutral position of pin 22 corresponds with an intermediate position of latch member I4 and rotary member IT in which the projection We on rotary member I1 is engaging the locking dog 58. The spring 3| is therefore efiective upon removal of the padlock to move the latch member I4 and rotary member IT to their respective intermediate positions. As the rotary member I'I travels through this distance, the cam surface I'Ib engages the follower surface I8a and rotates follower I8 clockwise sufiiciently far to move the circuit controller operating member 35 so as to operate the movable contacts 48 and 52 from one circuit controllin position to another. This operation of the circuit controller either shunts the track circuit associated with the switch or performs some other circuit controlling function so as to set the signals associated with the main line track approaching the switch at stop.

At the same time that the circuit controller is so operated, the cam IId moves out from under follower I9, allowing the latter to drop, and thereby allowing the finger 64 to fall away from the cap nut 63 on the lower end of the timer operating push rod 62. The push rod 62 then starts to move downward, its rate of movement 12 being controlled by the timer 60. When the time determined by adjustment of timer 60 has elapsed, the downward movement of nut 62a trips the latch mechanism 6|, thereby operating the lock dog 58 upwardly out of the path of movement of rotary member II.

In the intermediate position of the latch member I4 and rotary member H, the latch arm l4a still remains in the path of hand-throw lever 8, so that the latter cannot be removed from the lock mechanism. As soon as the locking dog 58 is moved out of the path of rotary member II, the switchman may then rotate the latch member I4 further in a counterclockwise direction by stepping on the pedal I4b, thereby forcing the latch member I4 against the tension of spring 3| to a position wherein the latch arm I4a is withdrawn from the path of movement of the handthrow lever 8. The switchman may then lift the hand-throw lever 8 from the lock and throw the switch. As the hand-throw lever 8 is so lifted. the lock rod I3 is operated by the eccentric on shaft I to move through the apertures Na and I 211, thereby preventing any return movement of the latch member I4 to its latched position until the hand-throw lever is restored to the position shown in the drawings.

When the hand-throw lever is restored to its normal position, the lock rod I3 is removed from the path of the latching member I4, which then returns to its intermediate position under the influence of spring 3I. The switchman then restores the latching member I 4 to its normal position by pushing on the pedal I40, and again applies the padlock through the staple I6. This movement of the latching member I4 from its intermediate position to its normal position restores the circuit controller contacts to their normal position, and winds up the spring in the timer 60 through the action of cam Hat on follower I9.

The indicator 55 informs the switchman as to the position of the locking dog 58. As long as the locking dog limits movement of rotary member H, the indicator reads Locked." When the locking dog 58 is moved upwardly out of the path of rotary member H, the indicator 55 moves upwardly with it, carrying the legend Unlocked into view. The switchman then knows that he may release the hand-throw lever B by stepping on the pedal I4b.

It should be noted that the locking dog 58 lies between the projection We on rotary member I I and the lug 58 on the casing. The locking dog 58 is thereby backed up by the casing so that it cannot be injured by a switchman who rests his weight on the pedal |4b while waiting for the locking dog 58 to be released by the latch mechanism 6| As the rotary member I! is returned from its intermediate position to its normal position, the force down finger I8c engages the upper surface of locking dog 58 and forces it down into its locking position. Sticking of the timer or latch mechanism is thereby prevented from causing improper operation of the switch lock. In case the mechanism is so jammed that the locking dog 58 cannot be restored to its normal position. then the finger I prevents restoration of the circuit controller 36 to its normal position, so that the signals remain at stop until the trouble is remedied. It may therefore be seen that the switch lock mechanism I have described fails safe.

"Although I have herein shown and described asserts only one-formof locking apparatus embody-in I. In apparatus for locking athrowlever, the

combination comprising a casing, ajaw projectingfrom thecasing for receiving the lever, ahollow projection on said casing forming a recess in an interior wall thereof, said casing having an external recess adjoining said" interior recess and an aperture in the casing wall between the two recesses; an arbor extending freely through said aperture and supported by the two recess walls opposite the apertured wall, a memberrotatably. mounted on the arbor in, said interior recess,- a latch member rotatably mounted on the arbor in said external recess, one of' the members havinga portion thereof projecting through the aperturev and engaging the other member so that the two members rotate concurrently, said latch member being movable between a first'position wherein it projects into the jaw toprevent movement of the throw lever therefrom and a second position wherein the latchv member is withdrawn from the jaw, lock means inside the casing for limiting rotation of. the interior. member. to preventmovementof thelatch member to itssecond, position, and. means in the casing for releasingthe, lock means.

2... The combination as. set forth. in claim 1 including, an.v annular flange. on the latch. member sealinglyengagingthe periphery of the aperture to prevententry of .dirtinto the casing.v

3. Apparatus, for. locking a. movable. member. comprising, a casing, a jaw on the casing. for engaging the member, a. latch pivotallymounted on the casing, a rotary member in said casing and. directly connected. to the latch forv concurrent movement therewith, said. latch and. rotary, member being. movable between, two. extreme positions, said latch being effective when in a, range. of positions including one extreme position to prevent movement of the movable member away from the: jaw and effective in its opposite extreme position to permit movement of the movable member away from the jaw, a removable padlock for holding the latch in said one extreme position, spring means biasing said rotary member and thereby said latch to an intermediate position in: said range of positions. said springmeans being efiectiveupon removal of: the: padlock to move the; rotary memberand latch tosaid intermediate position, a firstcam on: said1 rotary member, a follower for said first cam, electrical contacts operated by the-follower, said cam and follower being effective when the rotary member is moved from said one extreme position to said intermediate position to operate said contacts, a locking dog movable between a locking position wherein it lies in the path of a portion of said first cam and prevents movement of the rotary member past said intermediate position toward said other extreme position and an unlocking position wherein it permits free movement of the rotary member, time-controlled means for moving said locking dog to its unlocking position a predetermined time after operation of the time-controlled means is initiated, a second cam on the rotary member, means including the second cam for initiating operation of the time-controlled means as the rotary member is movedi-to its; intermediate position; and a1. finger;

connected-to the. follower forzforcibly'rmoving the.

locking dog to itsulocking-position asthe latch ismovedto said one extreme position.

4. Apparatus for looking a movable member.

comprising; a casing, a jaw. on. the casing for. en: gaging'theymember, alatch pivotally mounted:

on-the casing, a rotary member insaid 'casing-and directly connected to thelatch for concurrent:

movement therewith; said latchand rotary meme her. being movable between .two extreme-positions,- said latch beingeffective when in a range of: positions including one extreme position to. prevent movement of-"the movable member-away;

from the jaw and effectivev in its opposite ex'e.

treme. position to permit free movement of the: movable member: away fromv the jaw, a: removablepadlock for holding thelatch: in said one extreme position, spring: meansbiasing said rotary. member and thereby: said latch to an intermediate position in said" range of positions, said spring? means being enec-tiveupon removal of the-pad loelsto'- move the rotary member and. latch to said intermediate position, afirst cam. on said rotary member; a follower for said firstlcam, electrical contactsoperatedby the follower, said'cam andfollower beingeffective when the rotary mem her is moved from said'one extremeposition to said intermediate position tooperate said-contacts, a locking dog movable between a locking position wherein it lies in the path ofaportion of said rotary member and prevents movement thereof past said intermediate position toward said other extreme position and an unlocking: position wherein itpermits free movement ofthe rotary member, time-controlled means for moving said locking dog to its unlocking position apredetermined time after operation of the timecontrolled means is initiated, a second cam on the rotary member, means including the second cam for initiating operation of the time-controlled means as therotarymember is moved toits intermediateposition, and a finger operatively connected to the rotarymember for forcibly moving the locking-dog-to itsv locking position as the latch ismoved' to-said one extreme position.

5; Apparatus according to claim 3', inwhich saidqspring means comprises telescoping-sleeve and rod elements, a pair of springv retainersslidably mounted on the rod element, a spring between said retainers biasing themapart, stop means on the rod element for limiting the travel of each retainer in a, direction away from the other; said retainers being slidable within the sleeve element, means on the sleeve element" for limiting the travel of each retainer in a directionaway from the other retainer, a pivotalconnection between one end of one element andgthe casing-and'a pivotal connection between theopposite end of the other element and the rotary member.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3, including a stop formed on the casing to limit movement of the locking dog in a locking direction so as to prevent movement thereof beyond its locking position.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which said first cam has opposed cam surfaces and said follower has opposed follower surfaces for engaging the respective cam surfaces so that the follower is positively operated in both directions, said positive follower operation insuring movement of the finger to force the locking dog to its locking position.

8. An electrical circuit controller, comprising V a casing, a cover for the casing having depending edge portions to provide a recessed central portion, bracket means attached to the casing and extending upwardly and inwardly to the recessed central portion of the cover, an insulating terminal board attached to the bracket means within said recessed portion, terminal posts mounted on the board so as to be readily accessible upon removal of the cover, cooperating movable and stationary contacts electrically connected to said terminal posts and depending downwardly from said terminal board, said movable contacts extending downwardly beyond said stationary contacts, an operator for said movable contacts comprising an insulating member extending parallel to said board and engageable with said movable contacts, a support for said insulating member mounted for pivotal movement about an-axis parallel to said board, cam followermeans attached to said support, and a cam rotatable about an axis parallel to said boardfor operating said follower means to move said movable contacts into and out of engagement with said stationary contacts.

9.- Apparatus for locking a movable member comprising a casing, a jaw on the casing for engaging the member, a latch pivotally mounted on the casing, a rotary member mounted within one end of said casing and directly connected to the latch for concurrent movement therewith, said latch and rotary member being movable between two extreme positions, said latch being effective when in a range of positions including one extreme position to prevent movement of the movable member away from the jaw and efiec tive in its opposite extreme position to permit free movement of the movable member, a removable padlock for holding the latch in said one extreme position, spring means biasing said rotary member and thereby said latch to an intermediate position in said range of positions, said spring means being effective upon removal of the padlock to move the rotary member and latch to said intermediate position, a first cam on said rotary member, a follower for said first cam, an electrical circuit controller mounted in the central portion of the casing and operated by the follower, said cam and follower being eifective when the rotary member is moved from said one extreme position to said intermediate position to operate said controller, a locking dog movable between a locking position wherein it lies in the path of a portion of said rotary member to prevent movement thereof past said intermediate position toward said other extreme position and an unlocking position wherein it permits free movement of the rotary member, time-controlled means within the casing at the end opposite the rotary member for moving said locking dog to its unlocking position a predetermined time after operation of the time-controlled means is initiated, an elongated locking bar extending from the time-controlled means along one side of the casing and carrying said locking dog at its extremity, and means for initiating operation of the time-controlled means as the rotary member is moved to its intermediate position.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9, including a cover for the casing having depending edge portions to provide a recessed central portion, and bracket means attached to the casing and extending upwardly and inwardly to the recessed central portion of the cover; and in which said circuit controller comprises an insulating terminal board attached to the brackets means within said recessed portion of the cover, terminal posts mounted on the board so as to be readily accessible upon removal of the cover, cooperating movable and stationary contacts depending downwardlyfrom the terminal board and electrically connected to the terminal posts, said movable contacts extending downwardly beyond the stationary contacts, an operator for said movable contacts comprising an insulating member extending parallel to the board and engageable with said movable contacts, and a support for said insulating member and said cam follower mounted for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to said board.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9, in which said means for initiating operation of the timecontrolled means includes a releasing member adjacent said time-controlled means and movable between a holding position wherein it prevents operation of the time-controlled means and a released position wherein it permits operation of the time-controlled means, a second cam on the rotary member, a second follower for said second cam, and a connection between the second follower and the releasing member, said second cam and follower being effective when the rotary member moves to its intermediate position from said one extreme position to move the releasing member to its released position.

KENNETH J. J. MCGOWAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,126,834 Neubert et al Feb. 2, 1915 1,535,923 Leake Apr. 28, 1925 2,071,269 Bartsch Feb. 16, 1937 2,166,201 Van Cleave July 18, 1939 2,318,569 Camp et al. May 4, 1943 2,387,115 Bone Oct. 16, 1945 

